Links for Friday night, as Edwin Jackson tosses a 149-pitch no-hitter against his former team….
- Madison Bumgarner was scratched from tonight's Triple-A start, fueling speculation that the Giants would call him up to start tomorrow's game. However, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that the team still plans to start Joe Martinez tomorrow, with Bumgarner as the backup option.
- In his weekly appearance on WEEI's Big Show, Peter Gammons discusses the Red Sox' bullpen issues and the best one-year signing of this past offseason.
- Bill Ladson of MLB.com wonders if the Nationals will be interested in the recently DFA'd Chad Tracy, given Tracy's connection to Nats GM Mike Rizzo.
- Although it looks as if the Rangers won't be able to afford Roy Oswalt, you can add Texas to the list of teams the pitcher would be willing to play for, according to the Dallas Morning News. Oswalt has previously said he'd accept a trade to anywhere he could contend.
- Garrett Atkins tells MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link) that being released by the Orioles would be a "welcome opportunity." It appears as though Atkins will soon be designated for assignment.
- Following a blow-up during today's game, Carlos Zambrano has been suspended indefinitely by the Cubs, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. When Zambrano returned to the Cubs' rotation, we discussed Tom Gorzelanny as a trade chip, but as long as Zambrano remains suspended, that possibility looks less likely.
- The Astros signed their second-round pick, right-hander Vincent Velasquez, per a team release.
- Dusty Baker says Gary Matthews Jr. "has got to get his act together" before the outfielder earns a shot at the Reds' big league lineup, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
User 4245925809
Maybe Derek Lee should have decked Zambrano and knocked some sense into him, or at let him know how much his team mates feel his needs to get his act and emotions together and work as a team. That guy is just without a clue.
foxtown
I was at that Sox-Cubs game today and I didn’t find out about the blow-up until the 7th inning or so. What a nutjob.
P W
How many chances can they give zambrano?? He doesn’t even deserve to play at the major league level…they should just release the guy because I doubt anyone would trade for him.
P W
How many chances can they give zambrano?? He doesn’t even deserve to play at the major league level…they should just release the guy because I doubt anyone would trade for him.
j6takish
Out of all the questionable, half assed reporters who get paid to state the obvious, Peter Gammons annoys me the most. What a complete and total homer
jon
To be fair, Beltre really has been the best 1 year signing. Billy Wagner comes close, but Beltre’s offense has been invaluable to the Sox.
Gunner65
Johnny Gomes ranks right up there with the best signings this year … he has been nothing short of amazing with clutch hits … now if he could only learn how to play defense as well as Beltre lol
Gunner65
Johnny Gomes ranks right up there with the best signings this year … he has been nothing short of amazing with clutch hits … now if he could only learn how to play defense as well as Beltre lol
jon
To be fair, Beltre really has been the best 1 year signing. Billy Wagner comes close, but Beltre’s offense has been invaluable to the Sox.
brian mcgahan
The guy is 1238231 years old give him a break…he was a great writer in his time, he changed the way baseball was covered. Tons of people on ESPN are homers, at least Gammons has an excuse.
John W
And he has been a homer all 1238231 years… and all of ESPN are homers.
brian mcgahan
The guy is 1238231 years old give him a break…he was a great writer in his time, he changed the way baseball was covered. Tons of people on ESPN are homers, at least Gammons has an excuse.
j6takish
Out of all the questionable, half assed reporters who get paid to state the obvious, Peter Gammons annoys me the most. What a complete and total homer
jwsox
the cubs and the mlb should fine the hell out of big Z his actions are nothing but wrong. Its fine to bea competitor but when you take it as far as he has over the years there is an issue….fine fine fine fine(he has more than enough money) the most over paid pitcher i the bigs….he should be fined to kingdome come and then released from the cubs and black listed he does not deserve to be in the bigs or even the minors…it was not derek lees fault that big Z hung a 0-2 pitch to carlos who crushed it…
jwsox
the cubs and the mlb should fine the hell out of big Z his actions are nothing but wrong. Its fine to bea competitor but when you take it as far as he has over the years there is an issue….fine fine fine fine(he has more than enough money) the most over paid pitcher i the bigs….he should be fined to kingdome come and then released from the cubs and black listed he does not deserve to be in the bigs or even the minors…it was not derek lees fault that big Z hung a 0-2 pitch to carlos who crushed it…
studio179
I hope the Cubs make a harsh stance toward Zambrano and the players union loses whatever protest they come up with on this one. Besides, suspending Zambrano for any period of time is not like they are losing someone who will contribute. Then again, the same could be said for several players on that Cub team.
studio179
I hope the Cubs make a harsh stance toward Zambrano and the players union loses whatever protest they come up with on this one. Besides, suspending Zambrano for any period of time is not like they are losing someone who will contribute. Then again, the same could be said for several players on that Cub team.
Aiden
Why anyone still considers Gary Matthews Jr. a potential MLB player is way beyond me…
Gunner65
The Reds were hurting for depth in the OF at AAA … this will hopefully be all it is and he wont see GAPB this season except for on the TV
Gunner65
The Reds were hurting for depth in the OF at AAA … this will hopefully be all it is and he wont see GAPB this season except for on the TV
Aiden
Why anyone still considers Gary Matthews Jr. a potential MLB player is way beyond me…
Onewildman
Any idea what “value” Zambrano would have on the open market? He might become a fall back option for all the teams who don’t land Cliff Lee.
Onewildman
Any idea what “value” Zambrano would have on the open market? He might become a fall back option for all the teams who don’t land Cliff Lee.